Qatar-Hungarian relations date back to 1990, when diplomatic ties between the two countries were established at the level of non-resident embassies, and in late 2004 an embassy of the State of Qatar was opened in Budapest.
The consolidating of these relations came after visit by Father Amir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to Hungary on June 12, 2002. A number of bilateral agreements were signed during the visit. Relations between Qatar and Hungary have grown steadily over the years and been strengthened by the exchange of official visits between the two countries.
Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s current visit to Hungary at the invitation of President of Hungary H E Katalin Novak, and the recent visits by a number of Hungarian officials and Hungarian Prime Minister H E Viktor Orban to Qatar reflect a mutual desire to enhance cooperation.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter H E Peter Szijjarto said in a press conference on the eve of H H the Amir’s visit that Budapest can begin receiving shipments of liquefied natural gas from Qatar in 2027.
Hungary hosted the third session of the Qatari-Hungarian Joint Economic Committee in July. Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary H E Peter Szijjarto chaired the committee meeting, which was held in Budapest. Minister of Commerce and Industry emphasised positioning Qatar as an attractive destination for foreign investors and capitalising on investment opportunities in Qatar and Hungay to boost collaboration across many sectors. The committee discussed cooperation in trade, investment, construction, infrastructure, agriculture, shipping, civil aviation, health, education and information technology.
Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban in an interview with QNA in May affirmed his country’s keenness to building strategic partnership with Qatar.
He said that the two countries have set several strategic aspects of cooperation in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, security and military fields. Cooperation in the field of energy is of utmost importance to Hungary, which seeks to purchase Qatari LNG after 2026, he said, adding that cooperation in agriculture will be a valuable opportunity for the two countries and will boost Qatar’s food security efforts.
The cooperation between Qatar and Hungary in the field of infrastructure is currently focusing on the air transport sector. The two countries are discussing the possibility of attracting Qatari investments to this sector.
